If the United States agrees to return Fethullah Gulen, the US-based Muslim cleric and leader of the global Gulen movement, to Turkey it could be the start of a whole new offensive in the war against terrorism.
One of the major advantages that militants have is their fallback on gaining harbor in other countries. As more nations realize that this offer of refuge finally turns rabid and causes them more acute and often deadly problems in the long run they may be more prepared to hand over terrorists to countries that have accused them of being behind violent plots.
The United States faces the acid test. If it does not return Gulen to Ankara seeing as how all extradition requests by Washington have been conceded by Turkey, the United States could be losing its strategic ally. Despite all its civil rights protections the US will consider its foreign policy priorities very seriously indeed and US Secretary of State John Kerry has already hinted that if Turkey follows the right procedures extradition would be on the cards. The United States is a tough nation to pull someone out from if they are legally on the US soil but the stakes are now getting stiff and US President Barack Obama cannot blink.
For President Obama it would be tough not to give up a man who is suspected of having masterminded a coup against a democratically elected government and a NATO ally. This is not some Saturday night despot being overthrown; this is America’s “East-West” buddy. And the coup was blocked by civilians who stood in front of guns and tanks and said, no. What greater custodians of democratic principles?
Can Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan prove that his erstwhile ally is the mastermind? Merely loathing Gulen is not sufficient and evidence of conspiracy will have to be found.
Off the books, the United States will probably help Erdogan formulate the appeal and request and guide him on how to proceed so that the legal parameters are maintained. Although there will be a certain concern about the “silent” uproar among Gulen followers and their very strong and highly placed global network the United States will have to bite that bullet.
If they do not accede to the demand made (and it is not a request) they will establish a very strong base for future asylum seekers and make a mockery of being the custodians of the free world. It will also be a free pass to other nations to open their doors and invite in their enemy’s enemies.
If the US does allow the Turks to take him home and can absorb the repercussions it might start a new chapter in anti-terror activity. If there is no place to hide and nations, sick and tired of being targeted, begin to place economic sanctions on those who give such refuge and the will to do something manifests itself we might see a slowing down in terror attacks.
Christopher Dobson and Ronald Payne wrote a book as far back as 1979 on the need to see extradition as a weapon. It didn’t fly during those limited Red Army and IRA and Baader Meinhoff days because terror was still seen as a fringe activity and particular to specific countries.
Today it would mean a clear move from extraction by the powerful over less powerful (The Bin Laden assault, the removal of Noriega) to extradition by international fiat. As things stand extradition treaties are softened by cumbersome procedures and the fear that a return might endanger the life of the individual.
A simple add on step would call for a UN committee with assistance from Interpol or one under the International Court comprising a certain number of nations on a rotational basis. If a host nation refused the request it would be sent to the committee and a simple majority vote would suffice.
This would protect the innocent while locking the door on those seeking shelter. It is not as difficult as it sounds. There just has to be a collective will to do it and hobble the common enemy of mankind.
One of the major advantages that militants have is their fallback on gaining harbor in other countries. As more nations realize that this offer of refuge finally turns rabid and causes them more acute and often deadly problems in the long run they may be more prepared to hand over terrorists to countries that have accused them of being behind violent plots.
The United States faces the acid test. If it does not return Gulen to Ankara seeing as how all extradition requests by Washington have been conceded by Turkey, the United States could be losing its strategic ally. Despite all its civil rights protections the US will consider its foreign policy priorities very seriously indeed and US Secretary of State John Kerry has already hinted that if Turkey follows the right procedures extradition would be on the cards. The United States is a tough nation to pull someone out from if they are legally on the US soil but the stakes are now getting stiff and US President Barack Obama cannot blink.
For President Obama it would be tough not to give up a man who is suspected of having masterminded a coup against a democratically elected government and a NATO ally. This is not some Saturday night despot being overthrown; this is America’s “East-West” buddy. And the coup was blocked by civilians who stood in front of guns and tanks and said, no. What greater custodians of democratic principles?
Can Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan prove that his erstwhile ally is the mastermind? Merely loathing Gulen is not sufficient and evidence of conspiracy will have to be found.
Off the books, the United States will probably help Erdogan formulate the appeal and request and guide him on how to proceed so that the legal parameters are maintained. Although there will be a certain concern about the “silent” uproar among Gulen followers and their very strong and highly placed global network the United States will have to bite that bullet.
If they do not accede to the demand made (and it is not a request) they will establish a very strong base for future asylum seekers and make a mockery of being the custodians of the free world. It will also be a free pass to other nations to open their doors and invite in their enemy’s enemies.
If the US does allow the Turks to take him home and can absorb the repercussions it might start a new chapter in anti-terror activity. If there is no place to hide and nations, sick and tired of being targeted, begin to place economic sanctions on those who give such refuge and the will to do something manifests itself we might see a slowing down in terror attacks.
Christopher Dobson and Ronald Payne wrote a book as far back as 1979 on the need to see extradition as a weapon. It didn’t fly during those limited Red Army and IRA and Baader Meinhoff days because terror was still seen as a fringe activity and particular to specific countries.
Today it would mean a clear move from extraction by the powerful over less powerful (The Bin Laden assault, the removal of Noriega) to extradition by international fiat. As things stand extradition treaties are softened by cumbersome procedures and the fear that a return might endanger the life of the individual.
A simple add on step would call for a UN committee with assistance from Interpol or one under the International Court comprising a certain number of nations on a rotational basis. If a host nation refused the request it would be sent to the committee and a simple majority vote would suffice.
This would protect the innocent while locking the door on those seeking shelter. It is not as difficult as it sounds. There just has to be a collective will to do it and hobble the common enemy of mankind.
